Entity Formation in Belgium

Ready for a permanent Belgian presence? We help you incorporate the right way, with the notarial process handled correctly, and stay alongside you for the accounting, payroll, and compliance that follow. Independent advice, including telling you when it is too early.

  • Independent advice
  • Vetted partners
  • Honest timing

What incorporating in Belgium means

A Belgian BV/SRL (private limited company) is the standard vehicle for a permanent business presence. Formation requires a notarial deed; there is no fixed minimum share capital, but you must show sufficient starting capital in a financial plan. When you form one, you become the legal employer and operator in Belgium, with full control and no per-employee EOR fees, in exchange for the notarial process and the ongoing obligations.

01

Your own company

Your own BV makes you the legal employer and operator in Belgium, with full control of employment terms and a local brand presence.

02

Lower cost at scale

No per-employee EOR fees. For permanent, proven headcount, owning the entity is more cost-effective than ongoing EOR arrangements.

03

Setup takes time

Incorporation typically takes two to four weeks end to end, and you cannot employ anyone until it completes. The notarial deed and registration themselves are fast; most of the time goes on the financial plan, VAT registration, and the bank account. Timing the move matters, which is why many companies bridge with an EOR first.

How incorporating in Belgium works, step by step

From structuring the company to operating it compliantly.

01 — Structure & prepare

We confirm incorporation is right for you, then prepare the financial plan and deed of incorporation, and arrange your registered Belgian office address.

02 — Capital & notarisation

The deed is executed before a Belgian notary, who verifies the financial plan and files the registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE). Belgium sets no fixed minimum share capital for a BV/SRL, so there is no deposit to make before you can incorporate, but the financial plan has to show sufficient starting capital.

03 — Register the company

Corporate tax, payroll, and VAT registrations are set up with SPF Finances and ONSS/RSZ, so you can operate and employ compliantly.

04 — Operate & stay compliant

Business bank account, then ongoing accounting, payroll, filings, and annual reporting, all of which we can run for you.

What incorporating in Belgium costs

Two kinds of cost: the one-off formation, and the ongoing operating obligations. Belgium’s formation cost is modest; the real commitment is the ongoing compliance. We give you a clear figure before you commit.

Share capital & formation

Belgium sets no fixed minimum share capital for a BV/SRL, so there is nothing to deposit before you incorporate, though the financial plan must show sufficient starting capital. Formation typically costs roughly EUR 1,300 to EUR 2,500 all-in (notarial deed, Belgian Official Gazette publication, and registration), including a regulated Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE) registration fee of EUR 111.50.

Corporate tax

25% standard rate, with a reduced 20% rate on the first EUR 100,000 of profit for qualifying small companies (among other conditions, directors must draw a minimum salary of EUR 50,000). Profit above the qualifying limit is taxed at the standard rate.

VAT

VAT is 21% standard, with 12% and 6% reduced rates on qualifying goods and services. Registration is required before trading, with periodic returns once active.

Ongoing obligations

Accounting, monthly payroll (income tax and ONSS social security), VAT and corporate tax filings, and annual accounts, all of which we can manage for you.

Why form your Belgian company through Bradford Jacobs

Why companies incorporate in Belgium through us rather than a one-off formation agent.

We advise you on the best time to incorporate

We are independent: we assess what you actually need, place you with the right vetted partner, secure pricing you will not get going direct, and stay on your side to escalate or renegotiate. You get advice, not a product pitch.

  • Independent advice
  • Vetted partners only
  • On your side at renewal

End-to-end, not just the paperwork

We do not disappear after registration. We stay on for the accounting, payroll, and compliance, so your company runs, not just exists.

  • Beyond registration
  • Ongoing compliance
  • One team throughout

The right specialists, in place

Notary, tax, and accounting partners we have vetted and worked with, coordinated for you, so the process moves and nothing gets missed.

  • Vetted specialists
  • Coordinated for you
  • Nothing gets missed

Two decades of formations

Two decades forming and running entities across global markets, with the local knowledge to keep you compliant and out of the common traps.

  • Incorporations
  • Legal & tax partners
  • Traps avoided

We run it after you form it

Incorporation is the start, not the finish. We stay on for accounting, payroll, tax filings, and annual accounts, so your company operates from day one without you building a local finance function.

  • Full back office
  • Accounting & payroll
  • Annual accounts

The incorporation trap nobody flags

A growing business hits a good quarter and someone says, let us just set up a proper Belgian company. It sounds responsible. It usually is not, yet. Here is what people expect against what happens in practice.

Employment & payroll obligations

Expectation: it takes a few weeks and is just admin. Reality: incorporation itself can be quick, but a registered Belgian office, the mandatory notarial deed, and a financial plan that stands up to scrutiny all apply, and you cannot legally employ anyone until payroll accounts with ONSS/RSZ are live.

Tax, filing & reporting obligations

Expectation: we can always reverse it. Reality: dissolving a BV needs a shareholders’ resolution and a formal liquidation procedure before a notary. And once it exists, the obligations do not stop: annual accounts, monthly payroll filings, corporate tax and VAT returns, and director liability. None of this is a reason not to incorporate. It is a reason to do it at the right time, with the right partners already in place.

What we handle for your company

Beyond incorporation, we can run the full back office for your company.

Compliant payroll

Compliant Belgian payroll and employment administration, issued and maintained for you.

Payroll & filings

Monthly payroll run, with income tax and ONSS social security calculated, withheld, and filed each month.

Statutory benefits

All statutory benefits administered: annual leave, sick pay, parental leave, and notice.

Annual accounts

Ongoing HR compliance and a single point of contact, for the life of the engagement.

Your questions answered

Straight answers on incorporating and running a company in Belgium.

How long does it take to incorporate in Belgium?

Usually two to four weeks once the financial plan, documents, and registered address are in place, longer with any complication; the notarial deed and registration themselves take only a few days. You cannot legally employ anyone until registration completes, which is why timing matters and why many companies bridge with an EOR first.

Belgium sets no fixed minimum share capital, so there is nothing to deposit before you incorporate, though the financial plan must show sufficient starting capital. The formation cost is modest (roughly EUR 1,300 to EUR 2,500 all-in). The real cost is the ongoing accounting and compliance, which we can run for you.

Yes. A Belgian BV has no director-residency or shareholder-residency requirement and can be fully owned and directed by non-residents. You will need a registered Belgian office, which we arrange.

Incorporate when you have permanent, proven headcount and want full control, and the per-head savings justify the ongoing costs. Use EOR while you are still validating the market or need people working quickly. Most companies start with EOR and incorporate later. We advise on the crossover.

Accounting, monthly payroll (income tax and ONSS social security), corporate tax and VAT filings, and annual accounts filed with the National Bank of Belgium. We can run all of it so the entity stays compliant without you building a local finance function.

Yes, and it is how most companies use us. Beyond incorporation we provide ongoing accounting, payroll, and compliance, so your Belgian company operates smoothly from day one without hiring locally for back office.

Ready to form your company in Belgium?

Tell us your plans for Belgium and we will tell you honestly whether now is the time to incorporate, then handle it end to end if it is, usually scoped within a day. No formation-mill upsell, just the right call.

Tax, company, and labour data verified July 2026 (SPF Finances, ONSS/RSZ, KBO/BCE, PwC). Figures change; we confirm the current position when we scope your formation.